Container with a lid sealbly engageable on the container particularly for foodstuff products

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a container having a tub body ( 2; 36 ) with a bottom ( 3 ), a side wall ( 4 ), and a lid ( 5; 37 ) with top wall ( 6 ) and side wall ( 7 ). The side walls of both the container and the lid have complementary flanged rims that can fit together by snap engagement with one another. The rim ( 8 ) of the body of the container has, in sequence, a first flat flange section ( 11 ) extending outwards on the one hand, integral with the side wall ( 4 ) of the body of the container and, on the other hand, an inwardly bent section ( 12 ) at least partly extending over said flat section ( 11 ), an intermediate outwardly convex section ( 13 ), a second flat flanged section ( 14 ) substantially parallel to the first flat section ( 11 ), and a protruding terminal volute-shaped section ( 15 ) delimiting an uninterrupted undercut recess ( 16 ) with the second flat section ( 14 ). The rim ( 9 ) of lid ( 5; 37 ) has, in sequence, a volute-shaped section ( 18 ) being an extension of the side wall ( 7 ), a first protruding section ( 19 ) designed to engage, in use, with the first flat section ( 11 ), an inwardly extending section ( 20 ) designed to engage and overlap the inwardly bent section ( 12 ), a flat protruding flanged section ( 21 ) designed be located at an intermediate area of the outwardly convex section ( 13 ), and a flared section ( 22 ) ending with a flat flanged section ( 23 ) suitable for engaging engage with the undercut recess ( 16 ) to form a snap-engaging coupling with a plurality of peripheral uninterrupted sealing areas.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a container with a lid suitable for sealably snap-engaging with, and onto, a container body of a thermoformable plastics material, particularly suitable for packing moist and/or greasy food produce, to be possibly warmed up in a microwave oven.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] There is a widespread need to have available pre-cooked foods such as chicken on the spit, or pre-cooked dishes of various kinds containing greasy or messy substances which can cause serious inconvenience to the purchaser in case of leakage, e.g. whilst being carried home from a point of sale.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The main object of the present invention is to provide a container with a lid that will ensure a tight seal even if overturned, roughly handled, carelessly pressed into shopping bags or trolleys or accidentally fallen.

[0004] Another object of the present invention is to provide a container with a lid suitable for acquiring desired configurations to fulfil a wide range of needs in the packing field.

[0005] Another object of the present invention is to provide a container with lid that is highly efficient and can be manufactured at competitive costs.

[0006] These and other objects that will be made better apparent below are accomplished by a container including

[0007] a tub body having a bottom, side wall, and

[0008] a lid having a top wall and side wall,

[0009] said tub body and said lid having complementary flanged rims arranged to snap-engage one onto the other,

[0010] wherein said flanged rim of said tub body has, in sequence, a first flat flanged section integral with said side wall of said tub body, an inwardly bent section at least partly extending over said flat section, an intermediate outwardly convex section, a second flat flanged section substantially parallel to said first flat section, and a protruding terminal volute-shaped section delimiting an uninterrupted undercut recess with said second flat section, and

[0011] wherein said rim of said lid has, in sequence, a volute-shaped section being an extension of said side wall, an first protruding section designed to engage, in use, said first flat section, an inwardly extending section designed to engage and overlap said inwardly bent section, a flat protruding flanged section designed be located at an intermediate area of said outwardly convex section, and a flared section ending with a flat flanged section suitable for engaging engage with said undercut recess form a snap-engaging coupling with a plurality of peripheral uninterrupted sealing areas.

[0012] The container according to the present invention can advantageously have a rounded contour, e.g. circular or elliptical in shape, and can be provided with at least one pair of lugs diametrically opposite to each other and acting as support and handling grips, whereas said lid can be provided with at least one tab to make removal of the lid easier once it is engaged with the container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] The invention is described in further detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0014]FIG. 1 shows a plan view of a container or tub body having a round shape according to the invention;

[0015]FIG. 2 shows a half front elevation and half cross-section view taken along line II-II of FIG. 1;

[0016]FIG. 3 shows a top plan view of a round lid for the container shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

[0017]FIG. 4 shows a half front elevation and half cross-section view on an enlarged scale taken along lines II-II of FIG. 1 and IV-IV of FIG. 3;

[0018]FIG. 5 shows a detail in cross-section on an enlarged scale of the portion in cross-section shown in FIG. 4;

[0019]FIG. 6 is a plan view of a round lid with a pulling tab;

[0020]FIG. 7 shows a half front elevation and half cross-section view taken along line VII-VII of the lid shown of FIG. 6;

[0021]FIG. 8 is a half front elevation and half cross-section view taken along lines II-II of FIG. 1 and VII-VII of FIG. 6 and illustrates the round lid of FIGS. 6 and 7 mounted on a container or tub body of FIGS. 1 and 2;

[0022]FIG. 9 shows a detail in cross-section and on an enlarged scale of FIG. 8;

[0023]FIG. 10 shows a plan view of a container or tub body circular in shape having two diametrically opposite handles or grips;

[0024]FIG. 11 is a half front elevation and half cross-section view taken along line XI-XI of FIG. 10;

[0025]FIG. 12 shows a half front elevation and half cross-section view along line XII-XII of FIG. 10;

[0026]FIG. 13 shows a top plan view of a round lid with two diametrically opposed tabs;

[0027]FIG. 14 is a half front elevation and half cross-section view taken along line XIV-XIV of FIG. 13;

[0028]FIG. 15 is a half front elevation and half cross-section view taken along line XV-XV of FIG. 13;

[0029]FIG. 16 shows a half front elevation and half cross-section view taken along lines XII-XII of FIG. 10 and XV-XV of FIG. 13 illustrating a round lid with two tabs inserted into a tub or container body with two diametrically opposed handles;

[0030]FIG. 17 shows a detail in cross-section and on an enlarged scale of FIG. 16;

[0031]FIG. 18 is a plan view of tub body or container oval in shape with two side handles;

[0032]FIG. 19 is a half front elevation and half cross-section view taken along line XIX-XIX of FIG. 18;

[0033]FIG. 20 is a half front elevation and half cross-section view taken along line XX-XX of FIG. 18;

[0034]FIG. 21 is a plan view of an oval lid with two diametrically opposed tabs;

[0035]FIG. 22 is a half front elevation and half cross-section view taken along line XXII-XXII of FIG. 20;

[0036]FIG. 23 shows a half front elevation and half cross-section view taken along line XXIII-XXIII of FIG. 20;

[0037]FIG. 24 illustrates a half front elevation and half cross-section view taken along lines XIX-XIX of FIG. 18 and XXII-XXII of FIG. 21 illustrating a lid oval in shape inserted onto a tub body or container oval in shape;

[0038]FIG. 25 shows a detail in cross-section on an enlarged scale of FIG. 24;

[0039]FIG. 26 shows a half front elevation and half cross-section view taken along lines XX-XX of FIG. 18 and XXIII-XXIII of FIG. 21 illustrating a lid oval in shape with two tabs inserted onto a tub body or container with two diametrically opposed handles; and

[0040]FIG. 27 shows a detail in cross-section on an enlarged scale of FIG. 26.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0041] In the accompanying drawings, similar or identical components are designated by the same reference numerals.

[0042] With reference first to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 5, it will be noted that a container with a lid (FIG. 4) made of a thermoformable material according to the invention, generically designated at 1, comprises a container or tub body 2 circular in shape when viewed from top, provided with a bottom 3, preferably internally embossed or knurled, and a side wall 4, and a lid 5 also circular in shape when viewed from top with a ceiling 6 and a side wall 7. The side walls of both the tub or container body 2 and of the lid 5 have matching flanged edges 8 and 9, respectively, suitable for being coupled to one another by snap-engagement.

[0043] More particularly, bottom 3 of the tub is connected to side wall 4 through a radiused portion 10 convex downwards, whose outer wall acts as a support for the tub, whereas at its inner side it delimits an annular receiving duct lower than bottom 3, so that it is recessed with respect to radiused portion 10.

[0044] Flanged edge 8 of the container body has a substantially stepped shape that starting from side wall 4, comprises the following sequence of straight sections and annular areas, i.e. a first flat section 11 overhanginly extending outwards integral, on one side, with side wall 4 of the container body 2 and, on the other, with a section 12 at least partly curved inwardly above the first flat section 11, an intermediate convex protruding section 13, followed by a second overhanging flat section 14 substantially parallel to flat section 11, and a volute or end protruding scroll 15. Close to the second flat section 14, volute 15 delimits an uninterrupted concave undercut recess 16 facing towards the inside of the tub.

[0045] Edge 9 of lid 5 has correspondingly in sequence: an approx. 180° volute 18 having one end adjacent to side wall 7 and its other end connected to a first protruding overhanging section 19 which, in turn, is designed to abut against, and engage, in use, the first flat section 11 of edge 8 of tub 2. Flat section 19 is radiused to slightly recessed section 20 slightly greater in size than inwardly curved section 12 of the edge of tub 2 that, in use, it is designed to engage, overlap, and extend beyond, as better illustrated in FIG. 5.

[0046] More particularly, recessed section 20 is preferably formed with a inwardly curved section radiused to flat section 19, and a straight section designed to engage, and overlap the connection between sections 12 to 13 of the edge of the tub or container body 2, adjacent to which there is provided a flanged protruding flat section 21 designed to be located at an intermediate zone of convex section 13.

[0047] Flat section 21 is adjacent to a slightly flared section 22 terminating with an end flanged flat portion 23 designed to abut against undercut recess 16.

[0048] As one can readily appreciate, once edges 8 of the container body and edge 9 of the lid are coupled with one another, they will ensure a seal along two sealing lines or bands: one between flat sections 11 and 19 and the other between section 20 and the radiused connecting portion between sections 12 and 13, so that tightness is provided at several sealing points between the container body 2 and lid 5, such a sealing being stable in time also owing to the end section 23 of the lid edge being securely engaged with the peripheral recess 16.

[0049] Preferably, for stiffness purposes, and thus for greater stability of the lid and the sealing, wall 7 of lid 5 is formed at a short distance from volute 18 with a protruding step 24 that is located for example at a level between flat sections 21 and 23 of edge 9, thereby delimiting a section 25 of end wall 7 wider than the rest of wall 7. If desired, section of wall 25 can be outwardly convex, e.g. as indicated at 26 in FIG. 5, to impart a greater camber strength to the inner edge 9, thereby causing it to be more rigidly anchored, in use, to rim 8 of tub 2.

[0050] FIGS. 6 to 9 illustrate a round lid 5 with a side pulling tab 27. By looking particularly at FIGS. 6 and 9, it will be noted that tab 27 is an extension of flat section 23, and at its base or root it is weakened by two connected juxtaposed notches 28 in order to take better advantage of the flexibility of the thermoplastic material, whereby in use flap 27 will extend close to the inner section of volute 15 of edge 8 of tub 2, from which it protrudes so as to be comfortably and easily gripped between the index thumb fingers to be pulled to cause a swift release of lid 5 from tub 2.

[0051] In the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 10 to 17 the container body or tub 2 is circular in shape when viewed from top and is provided with a pair of handles 29 and 30 overhangingly protruding that have preferably the same shape and are arranged to be diametrically opposite to one another. More particularly, handles 29 and 30 are a widened extension or outwardly extending projection of end volute 15 of rim 8 of tub 2 at a widening portion formed with a wide recess 31 at flat section 14. Handles 29 and 30 are a convenient support and handling means for container 1 besides providing the user with an immediate and clear indication of how to use the container 1, i.e. with the tub at the bottom and the lid at the top.

[0052] The lid 5 has two accordingly diametrically opposite tabs or lugs 32 and 33 so shaped that, in use, they are arranged to be fitted into a respective recess 31 of handles 29 and 30. As shown in FIG. 13, tabs 32 and 33 on one side thereof, i.e. on respective opposite sides, have a respective recess 34, in use designed to act as a guide for the insertion of the user's finger between the handle and the tab in order to lift and thus hold the tab between user's two fingers to easily and quickly remove the lid from the tub.

[0053] The embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 18 to 27 is an oval container 35 with a container or tub body 36 provided with a pair of diametrically opposite handles 29 and 30 on the tub's long axis, and a lid 37 oval in shape having two tabs 32 and 33 corresponding diametrically opposite with respect to the main axis of the lid. The assembly is shaped as container 1 circular in shape with two handles and it is used in the same way.

[0054] It will be noted that a container with a tub and lid as described above is suitable for being used for packaging liquid, semi-liquid, even greasy produce, especially ready-made food produce or roast produce such as roast poultry, and so forth, that also contain sauces and grease or oil which, if leaking from the container, could cause highly undesirable soiling and staining, particularly pesky in case they affect clothing items worn by the purchaser of the produce. The container according to the invention, owing to the snap closing and partly resilient deformation of the moulded and specifically shaped edges of the lid on and against the edges of the tub accordingly moulded and shaped provides, as described above, two circumferential concentric seals without solution of continuity, thereby providing a double barrier that is wholly effective in preventing any liquid from leaking out of the container. Sealing is also ensured even if the container is clumsily handled, given that, within wide limits, the resilient distortion of the material of the edges 8 and 9 of the tub and those of the lid make sure that a reliable barrier against leakage is maintained in any case.

[0055] The invention thus conceived is susceptible to numerous modifications all within the scope of the invention as defined in the claims. 

1. A container including a tub body (2; 36) having a bottom (3), side wall (4), and a lid having a top wall (6) and side wall, said tub body and said lid having complementary flanged rims arranged to snap-engage one onto the other, wherein said flanged rim of said tub body has, in sequence, a first flat flanged section (11) integral with said side wall (4) of said tub body, an inwardly bent section (12) at least partly extending over said flat section (11), an intermediate outwardly convex section (13), a second flat flanged section (14) substantially parallel to said first flat section (11), and a protruding terminal volute-shaped section (15) delimiting an uninterrupted undercut recess (16) with said second flat section(14), and wherein said rim (9) of said lid (5; 37) has, in sequence, a volute-shaped section (18) being an extension of said side wall (7), an first protruding section (19) designed to engage, in use, said first flat section (11), an inwardly extending section (20) designed to engage and overlap said inwardly bent section (12), a flat protruding flanged section (21) designed be located at an intermediate area of said outwardly convex section (13), and a flared section (22) ending with a flat flanged section (23) suitable for engaging engage with said undercut recess (16) to form a snap-engaging coupling with a plurality of peripheral uninterrupted sealing areas.
 2. The container according to claim 1, wherein said lid (5; 37) comprises at least one tab (27) designed to be positioned at the inner portion of the said volute-shaped section (15) of said rim (8) of said tub body (2; 36) to protrude far enough to be grabbed for quick removal of said lid (5; 37) from said tub body.
 3. The container according to claim 2, wherein said tab (27) is an extension of the said flat flanged section (23) of said lid (5; 37).
 4. The container according to claim 2, wherein two opposite radiused notches (28) are formed at the base or root of said tab (27) to make the said tab (27) more flexible.
 5. A container according to claim 1, having a round outline.
 6. The container according to claim 5, having an elliptical outline.
 7. The container according to claim 1, wherein the said tub body (2; 36) has at least one pair of diametrically opposite handles (29, 30) for handling said container, whereas said lid (2; 37) has at least one tab for easy removal of the lid from said tub body.
 8. The container according to claim 7, wherein each one of the said handles (29, 30) comprises a outward widening projection of said end volute-shaped section (15) of said rim (8) of said tub body and a recessed widening (31) in said flat section (14).
 9. The container according to claim 7, wherein the said lid (5; 37) has two diametrically opposite tabs or grips (32, 33) shaped in such a way as to be inserted in use into respective recesses (31) in said handles (29, 30).
 10. The container according to claim 9, wherein said flaps (32, 33) have a recess (34) on one side thereof for unser's finger insertion between said handle and said grip. 